Health Minister Leo Varadkar is appealing to hospital consultants to accept the latest pay offer from the Health Service Executive (HSE).

It follows a breakdown in discussions last night at the Labour Relations Commission over contracts for newly-appointed consultants working only in public hospitals.

The proposals would allow consultants earn up to €175,000.

Mr Varadkar says that compares favourably with other English-speaking countries.

But the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is accusing the HSE of not being serious about tackling the recruitment crisis for consultants in the Irish system.

It says doctors can get better jobs overseas and are "voting with their feet".

The HSE national director of human resources, Barry O'Brien, believes the posts will be filled.